Free throws doom Lakers as Magic steal a victory late

Big nights from Anthony Davis and LeBron James were undone by missed free throws down the stretch, letting the Magic escape with a streak-snapping win against the Lakers.

Despite a huge fourth quarter from LeBron James and another monster night from Anthony Davis, the Lakers faltered down the stretch at the free throw line to fall to the Magic, 119-118, snapping their six-game win streak.

Anthony Davis’ dominance continued with 39 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and two assists. He also passed Lamar Odom to move to 20th in Lakers franchise history with scoring. LeBron James caught fire in the fourth, finishing with 31 points on 5-8 shooting from range with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

The pair, though, missed a number of crucial late free throws, going 2-6 combined at the charity strip in the final 40 seconds. As a team, the Lakers went 17-26 at the line on the night.

Austin Reaves had just nine points. Dalton Knecht pitched in with 17 points and four rebounds.

Cam Reddish scored eight points with eight rebounds. Max Christie scored five points and D’Angelo Russell had seven points with six assists off the bench.

It was a very evenly matched, high-energy beginning to the game. Austin was having a much-needed strong start with not just a 3-pointer but also an acrobatic layup. Another welcomed sight was Cam scoring five quick points before he got into foul trouble and had to sit. But Orlando was knocking down their 3-pointers, going 3-6 early.

AD’s defense was on full display, though, with two blocks and Max Christie, who has struggled offensively, already had two emphatic dunks.

Former Laker Mo Wagner was showing off his improved skills and athleticism, converting on two layups. Both teams were having dominating games offensively and struggling defensively.

At the end of the first, LA was up two.

The second quarter started with a dunk exchange. Mo threw down a poster over Christian Koloko and Max Christie, followed by a strong dunk by LeBron that had the crowd buzzing.

Neither team played good enough defense, but the offense flowed quite well.

The game continued to be a back-and-forth affair, but the offense started to slow for both teams and the Lakers only had a lead of one with 4:44 left until the end of the half. A run to end the second period gave the purple and gold a seven-point halftime lead.

The second half began with a quick 3-pointer by LeBron, giving the Lakers their first double-digit lead. LeBron also lobbed to AD for a jam. Both superstars were shouldering the offensive load early in the quarter.

Orlando once again kept the game close, cutting the deficit to four. Dalton knocked down a 3-pointer to make it a seven-point lead for LA. The Magic answered with two straight threes as they kept knocking them down. Jalen Suggs had 11 attempts, converting on five. Gary Harris was the other Magic player who was drilling his threes.

After going up by 10, the Lakers were down by one at the six-minute mark. AD got fouled and converted on an and-1 to put LA back up. At the end of the third, the Magic were up one.

Orlando went up by four to start the final frame. The Lakers were messy with their offense and defense. Dalton knocked a midrange shot and followed it with a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up by one.

Both teams exchanged baskets that had the Magic up one before a 3-pointer had the Lakers up two. LeBron drained another three and AD was fouled and converted on the free throw to put LA up four.

LeBron was unconscious from behind the arc, making a third straight three, his third of the quarter and the Lakers were now up seven.

The Magic started to heat up again and the other Wagner, Franz, knocked down his second three of the game. AD answered with a 3-pointer and LA was back up four after the Magic had cut it to within two.

As the minutes ticked away, LA barely held onto a two-point lead when Franz knocked down another three and put Orlando up by one. LeBron put LA up by one with a put-back layup. He then rebounded and threw a pass the length of the floor to AD, who dunked and gave the Lakers a three-point lead.

The missed free throws by the Lakers down the stretch, though, proved costly. LA was up by two with 20 seconds left when AD was fouled, but missed both free throws. Franz drilled a massive 3-pointer on the next possession. The Lakers had one last chance to win the game, but AD’s fadeaway jumper was nowhere close as time expired.

Key Takeaways:

While we are getting so used to seeing Dalton being a sniper from behind the arc, this game was another reminder that he can score in many ways. He cuts to the basket, catches lops, and scores middys.

The Lakers need to work on their free throws. I REPEAT, they need to work on their free throws. I don’t just repeat...I scream it, they need to work on their free throws. Lakers, work on your free throws.

Father Time may genuinely never defeat LeBron James.

The Lakers’ next game will be Saturday against the Denver Nuggets at 7:30 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.